A roadmap is a useful guide on a journey, if you know how to read it. But a wise navigator is alert to unexpected detours and obstacles but also to new, maybe surprising possibilities. So what kind of compass or guide do we need and what should we carry with us so that our relationships can become harmonious and enriching? Speaker: Erik Larson Based in New York, Erik has been involved with the Brahma Kumaris for over 35 years. With a background in Civil Engineering and experience in property loss control for over 30 years, he blends the very practical with the very spiritual to achieve a common-sense way to look at life and to help others. Erik is a Director of the Brahma Kumaris (USA) and also BK representative to the United Nations. He is a member of the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief and a member of the Committee of Religious NGOs. Erik is also a founding member on the Board of Directors of the Long Island Multi-Faith Forum.

Celebrating the UN International Day of Peace Without peace at the centre of our lives, we direct our energy towards achieving goals which we then hope will give us peace, security, relaxation. When our life is powered by peace, we are free to use our energy towards service, creativity and fun. How can we bring peace into our every thought, word and action, and what will happen when we do? Judy Johnson works as a consultant facilitating leadership and organisational development. She has practised Raja Yoga meditation with the Brahma Kumaris for 26 years and coordinates the activities of the Brahma Kumaris in Atlantic Canada. Judy is an author and co-founder of ‘Peace Halifax,’ a festival for peace in the city of Halifax, Canada. Her books include a young adult novel “The Seven Secrets of the Universe"(2014) "Beautiful Thoughts"(2019) and co-author “A-Z Spiritual Literacy"(2016) "Living as Art" (2018) and "Return to Source: The God Experience.” (2020) Link for Judy Johnson’s YouTube Channel: Golden Drops of Peace for A Beautiful World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhG... Link for Brahma Kumaris Halifax: Peace Halifax - Eye of the storm meditative concert https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZN...

Self belief is a power that works from deep inside and makes for a fulfilling life. However, it needs to come from a true and authentic place. Our speaker will explore those beliefs that limit our capacity and choices and will offer simple and creative ways to transform them. Speaker: Mark Fleming Mark has been a student and teacher of meditation for over 30 years. He is currently based at the Brahma Kumaris Global Retreat Centre near Oxford but prior to that he was part of the team at the Lighthouse Retreat Centre in Worthing. Mark has a keen interest in understanding the effect our consciousness has on both our personal future as well as the future of the world. He shares these discoveries with lightness and depth.

The Samurai of old in Japan lived according to an ancient code of virtue and discipline. The Inner Samurai therefore becomes a powerful symbol when inquiring into the topic of self-mastery as many of the virtues required for life as a samurai are essential to us all as we deal with everyday challenges. Through stories and lived experiences, Tamasin will share some of the key lessons she has learned as a martial artist and as a meditator and explore how we can apply these simple lessons to enhance our own flexibility and resilience in our daily lives. Tamasin Ramsay is an Australian anthropologist and former actress. After an early and successful career in television and film, Tamasin switched tack and worked for some years as a paramedic before turning her talents to the study of anthropology and health at Monash University in Melbourne. More recently she worked as a senior policy advisor to politicians in support of animal justice and currently lives in a remote forest refuge and wildlife shelter in Western Victoria. A keen meditator with the Brahma Kumaris since her late teens, Tamasin also had a passion for the martial arts and earned her black belt in Gōjū Kai karate after winning a number of national and international titles. Having lived the codes of these two life strands together, Tamasin learned that many of the lessons of spiritual wisdom are reflected in the traditional teachings and practical requirements of martial arts.

Driven to Distraction Whether it’s our inner drive to avoid personal pain and problems or social media platforms competing for our attention, keeping focus and awareness firmly in our own hands is the key to peace and happiness. Once we truly observe the contrast between feeling driven and distracted and relaxed and focused, we can learn to choose what really satisfies over mere distraction and shallow entertainment. Based in Montreal, Eric Le Reste has been with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, CBC/Radio-Canada, for more than 35 years. As Journalist and producer, he has worked for the main television news and current affairs programs within the French services. Alongside his career, Eric has always maintained a special interest in spirituality, and for the past 40 years he has taught the meditation and philosophy offered by the Brahma Kumaris, an international organization for which he acts as the Canadian Coordinator.

The Special Nature of Friendship Friendship is a Sheltering Tree - Samuel Taylor Coleridge Friendship is such a powerful and strong bond, one that often lasts longer than any other relationship. Being close and supportive whilst remaining yourself is one of the essentials of being a good friend, but as with most relationships, work is still required to create and sustain meaningful friendships. So what does this look like and can we count God as our best Friend? Wendy Farrington, is a member of the national coordinating team for the Brahma Kumaris in Italy and an experienced and widely known speaker and teacher. Born in the UK in 1941, Wendy embarked on a very varied and colourful career which included being a member of the Olympic ski team for Great Britain, a dancer and choreographer in Rome, Las Vegas and Canada and even training and presenting a dolphin show in Paris. After coming across the Brahma Kumaris in Paris in 1982, Wendy went on to open the first Brahma Kumaris centre in Rome in 1984, where she is still based.

Hoping To Be Heard One of the most common laments in relationships is that of not being heard. The desire to be heard and understood runs deep, and is the foundation of good communication. However, instead of blindly hoping, it’s worth considering: Do I truly hear or do I ignore my own inner voice? Do I seek to understand others before being understood myself? And do I communicate in ways that make it easier for others to hear me? By learning how the spiritual laws of energy work, we can stop hoping and start listening, hearing and connecting to others effectively and authentically. Speaker: Masana De Souza has an extensive background in coaching, counselling, facilitation and mediation. She has been studying and teaching Raja Yoga meditation for 18 years and is also a facilitator for Values in healthcare: a spiritual approach. Masana has a warm and engaging manner which reflects astute insights and a deep compassion for people."

Inside a Champion’s Mind It’s commonly believed that to be champion of a game like tennis, we need to be super ambitious, focused, and relentless in our pursuit of victory. We have to ‘keep our eyes on the prize’. However, most champions speak of being in the zone, a state of heightened consciousness where only the present moment exists. How does a champion chase a goal and still be present focused? And what can they teach us about how to play the game of life? Neville Hodgkinson, author and journalist, will be interviewing Barbara Griffiths on the ins and outs of staying on top of the game. Barbara Griffiths has been playing tennis for over 40 years. Between the ages of 10 and 18 she was a top ranked junior in Britain, winning numerous tournaments. Barbara turned professional after finishing her A-levels and played the Women’s Tennis Association circuit for two years, including singles and doubles at Wimbledon in 1991. A year later she changed track, studying architecture in Nottingham and Oxford, and now manages some major projects for Reading University. After about 15 years of not playing competitively, Barbara returned to county and national level tennis and has had many recent tournament successes with some of her county team mates, including winning the over-40’s National and European Club Team championships in 2022.

Living in a world of fake food, pollution, soul draining social media, and demands from every direction, it’s not surprising that many of us are experiencing constant tiredness. However, just as a lotus thrives in mud, individuals who have connected with their true selves and their higher purpose, can live in this same world, yet be inspired, enthused and energised from a place that coffee can never take us! How can we let go of habits that drain us, and tap into the sources that restore our inner and outer energy? Speaker: Lotta Arbman Mostly based in Stockholm, Lotta is the National Coordinator for Brahma Kumaris in Sweden. At heart, Lotta is an inquisitive dreamer with an artistic

Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India but is now practised in various forms around the world. Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga and we are dedicating the Thursday talk to this special event. Mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita, Raja yoga, is the King of all yoga’s - the highest journey of meditation one can take to achieve full self awareness and self mastery. Our speaker this evening, Gopi Patel, will be sharing her wisdom and experience on this fascinating subject, and what it takes to fulfil the journey of complete self realisation. Gopi Patel is an international speaker and spiritual educator. A practitioner of Raja Yoga meditation with the Brahma Kumaris, for over 40 years, she travels extensively, emphasising spiritual values and growth as an essential ingredient in sustainable social, economic development and organisational effectiveness. In this capacity, she has spoken and run seminars on government platforms, ministries, businesses, social organisations and NGOs worldwide. With her roots in Africa, India and Europe, she is a unique blend of learnings from both eastern and western education and culture. She has over 25 years of experience co-ordinating various projects promoting the inner principles of leadership, for young leaders, women leaders, senior executives and thought leaders from diverse fields.

From being deeply connected to seed, soil, sun, water and the unseen energetic magic that gifts us with food on our plates, humanity has reached a place where pesticides, mono-crops and fast food are destroying our food chains and our health. Food links us to the earth, to our bodies, and to each other in a sacred symbiotic dance that sustains the experience we call ‘life’. Join us for this fascinating and inspiring talk which will change your perspective on food forever. Dr David Fletcher has been a social justice educator and advocate for over 35 years. He has worked with community groups, universities and NGOs in Canada and in many countries in Africa and Asia. He is deeply committed to revitalising a harmonious relationship with the natural world and all other living beings on this planet. His current research interests are in indigenous knowledge, community resilience and food sovereignty. David has been practising Raja Yoga meditation since 2002.

Why worry! Worrying is like walking around with an umbrella waiting for it to rain Wiz Khalifa Is worry written into life? It seems like it, if we have responsibilities, aims, if we love people. It’s said that if you’re not worried, you don’t really know what’s going on. And the news which bombards us daily, certainly feeds this acquired habit. Worry occupies a whole spectrum from occasional butterflies in the stomach to full-blown anxiety and is very expensive in terms of health and general wellbeing. Interestingly, the word itself derives from an Anglo Saxon word meaning to strangle or choke. So how can we stop worrying and start wising up? Join our speaker for this evening, Dr Kala Mistry, to unravel some of the threads in this pervasive habit and discover ways to move from worry into a loving concern. Dr Kala Mistry has been working in mental health as a community psychiatrist and studying Raja Yoga since 1992. She was the editor of the Janki Foundation for Global Health Care newsletter from 1999 to 2016 and a co-author of Values in healthcare: a spiritual approach, a training and educational resource for health practitioners. Kala conducts workshops for health professionals and the public on the themes of personal development, empowerment and spiritual values and has a longstanding interest in how thoughts and feelings affect wellbeing. Thursday 25th May 2023 7.00 - 8.00pm